Centene Corporation Reports 2011 Second Quarter Earnings of $0.54 Per Diluted Share

- Includes $(0.10) per diluted share charge for Debt Extinguishment Costs -

- Includes $0.07 per diluted share benefit recognized for Q1 Mississippi Earnings -

ST. LOUIS, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The discussions below, with the exception of cash flow information, are in the context of continuing operations and all financial ratios exclude premium taxes.

Second Quarter Highlights

Quarter-end managed care at-risk membership of 1,580,500, an increase of 45,900 members year over year.
Premium and Service Revenues of $1.3 billion, representing 21.6% year over year growth.
Health Benefits Ratio of 83.0%, compared to 83.8% in the prior year and 83.0% in the first quarter of 2011.
General and Administrative expense ratio (G&A ratio) of 13.0%, compared to 12.7% in the prior year. The G&A ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was 13.4%, compared to 13.0% in the prior year.
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.54, including $(0.10) of debt extinguishment costs, compared to $0.45 in the prior year.
Recognition of Mississippi revenue and medical costs for the period January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 during the second quarter of 2011 (includes $0.07 per diluted share benefit for period from January 1, 2011 - March 31, 2011 recognized in the second quarter of 2011).

Other Events

In July 2011, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, our joint venture subsidiary, was selected to contract with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to provide healthcare services to Medicaid enrollees participating in the Medicaid Coordinated Care Network project in all three of the state’s geographical services areas for a three year term. Services for these members are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2012, with a three-phased membership roll-out ending in the second quarter of 2012.
In July 2011, our subsidiary, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan, announced it was awarded a three-year contract with the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet (KFAC) to serve Medicaid beneficiaries. Kentucky Spirit Health Plan will provide integrated healthcare, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision and dental services to Medicaid recipients. Operations are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2011.
In June 2011, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, Inc. announced the extension of its contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to serve Commonwealth Care Bridge members on an exclusive basis, effective July 1, 2011.
In June 2011, our subsidiary, Managed Health Services was awarded the 2011 National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management from the Environmental Protection Agency.
In May 2011, the Company called its $175 million 7.25% Senior Notes and recorded debt extinguishment costs of $(0.10) per diluted share for the call premium and the write off of unamortized debt issuance costs. The Company replaced the notes with new $250 million 5.75% Senior Notes due June 2017 and entered into interest rate swap agreements, converting the Senior Notes to a floating rate of interest at the three month LIBOR rate plus 3.50%.
In May 2011, Bridgeway Health Solutions announced it was awarded a contract to deliver Long-term Care services in three geographic service areas in Arizona effective October 1, 2011. This contract award represents an estimated 50% increase in Bridgeway's Long-term Care at-risk membership.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are especially pleased with our results for the second quarter and the continuation of our positive operating momentum as well as our success in winning profitable new growth opportunities.”

The following table depicts membership in Centene’s managed care organizations, by state, at June 30, 2011 and 2010:

	June 30,
	2011	2010
Arizona	22,800	22,100
Florida	190,600	113,100
Georgia	303,100	295,600
Illinois	700	--
Indiana	206,700	212,700
Massachusetts	32,900	30,100
Mississippi	30,800	--
Ohio	159,900	159,300
South Carolina	82,800	92,600
Texas	470,400	475,500
Wisconsin	79,800	133,600
Total at-risk membership	1,580,500	1,534,600
Non-risk membership	10,400	50,900
Total	1,590,900	1,585,500

The following table depicts membership in Centene’s managed care organizations, by member category, at June 30, 2011 and 2010:

	June 30,
	2011	2010
Medicaid	1,172,400	1,135,500
CHIP & Foster Care	211,400	272,400
ABD & Medicare	156,300	93,800
Hybrid Programs	35,500	30,100
Long-term Care	4,900	2,800
Total at-risk membership	1,580,500	1,534,600
Non-risk membership	10,400	50,900
Total	1,590,900	1,585,500

Statement of Operations: Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

For the second quarter of 2011, Premium and Service Revenues increased 21.6% to $1,278.0 million from $1,050.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. The increase was primarily driven by the addition of our Mississippi contract, membership growth and premium rate increases during the second half of 2010. During the second quarter of 2011, premium revenue from the Mississippi contract of $100.4 million was recognized for the period January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011, of which $52.8 million related to the first quarter of 2011.
Consolidated HBR of 83.0% for the second quarter of 2011 represents a decrease of 0.8% from the comparable period in 2010. The year over year improvement in HBR is due to lower utilization levels in 2011. Consolidated HBR was consistent with the first quarter of 2011 at 83.0%.
Consolidated G&A expense ratio for the first and second quarters in 2011 has been impacted by the timing of the recognition of our Mississippi contract. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, our G&A expense ratio was 13.0%, compared to 12.7% in the prior year and 13.8% in the first quarter of 2011. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, our G&A expense ratio was 13.4%, compared to 13.0% in the prior year. The overall increase is due to additional business expansion costs compared to the prior year.
Earnings from operations increased to $55.3 million in 2011 from $41.7 million in 2010, or 32.6% year over year. Net earnings from continuing operations were $28.4 million, compared to $23.0 million in the second quarter of 2010.
Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.54 in the second quarter of 2011, which included a $(0.10) per diluted share charge for debt extinguishment costs as well as the benefit of $0.07 per diluted share from the recognition of Q1 2011 Mississippi earnings, compared to $0.45 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2010.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

At June 30, 2011, the Company had cash and investments of $1,098.4 million, including $1,061.9 million held by its regulated entities and $36.5 million held by its unregulated entities. Medical claims liabilities totaled $482.9 million, representing 44.4 days in claims payable, consistent with March 31, 2011. Total debt was $339.6 million and debt to capitalization was 23.0% at June 30, 2011 excluding the $79.0 million non-recourse mortgage note. Cash flows from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were $53.2 million, or 1.0 times net earnings.

A reconciliation of the Company’s change in days in claims payable from the immediately preceding quarter-end is presented below:

Days in claims payable, March 31, 2011	44.4
Reduced time of claims processing and payment	(0.4)
Payment of annual provider bonuses	(0.1)
Impact of new business	0.5
Days in claims payable, June 30, 2011	44.4

Outlook

The table below depicts the Company’s updated annual guidance from continuing operations for 2011:

	Full Year 2011
	Low	High
Premium and Service Revenues (in millions)	$ 5,000	$ 5,200
Diluted EPS	$ 2.03	$ 2.13
Consolidated HBR	83.0%	84.0%
General & Administrative expense ratio	12.8%	13.3%

Diluted Shares Outstanding (in thousands)	52,500

The updated guidance reflects the Senior Note issuance, the expected commencement of the Kentucky contract during the fourth quarter of 2011 and start up costs for the second half of 2011 related to Louisiana Healthcare Connections, our Louisiana health plan.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 8:30 A.M. (Eastern Time) to review the financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, and to discuss its business outlook. Michael F. Neidorff and William N. Scheffel will host the conference call. Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-800-860-2442 in the U.S. and Canada; +1-412-858.4600 from abroad; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company’s website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section. A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next twelve months or until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, August 4, 2011, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access code 10001393.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique, "exchange based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management.

The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events and future financial performance of Centene. Subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company disclaims any obligation to update this forward-looking financial information in the future. Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause Centene's or its industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including Centene's ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses, competition, membership and revenue projections, timing of regulatory contract approval, changes in healthcare practices, changes in federal or state laws or regulations, inflation, provider contract changes, new technologies, reduction in provider payments by governmental payors, major epidemics, disasters and numerous other factors affecting the delivery and cost of healthcare. The expiration, cancellation or suspension of Centene's Medicaid Managed Care contracts by state governments would also negatively affect Centene.

(Tables Follow)

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
	June 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations	$	474,450	$	433,914
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations		—		252
Total cash and cash equivalents		474,450		434,166
Premium and related receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $574 and $17, respectively		152,135		136,243
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $77,560 and $21,141, respectively)		78,808		21,346
Other current assets		69,143		64,154
Current assets of discontinued operations other than cash		—		912
Total current assets		774,536		656,821
Long-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $508,299 and $585,862, respectively)		518,490		595,879
Restricted deposits, at fair value (amortized cost $26,615 and $22,755, respectively)		26,662		22,758
Property, software and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $157,706 and $138,629, respectively		340,392		326,341
Goodwill		281,981		278,051
Intangible assets, net		30,342		29,109
Other long-term assets		38,041		30,057
Long-term assets of discontinued operations		—		4,866
Total assets	$	2,010,444	$	1,943,882
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Medical claims liability	$	482,913	$	456,765
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		152,578		185,218
Unearned revenue		111,110		117,344
Current portion of long-term debt		3,172		2,817
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		—		3,102
Total current liabilities		749,773		765,246
Long-term debt		336,468		327,824
Other long-term liabilities		53,899		53,378
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations		—		379
Total liabilities		1,140,140		1,146,827

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 52,831,462 issued and 50,295,329 outstanding at June 30, 2011, and 52,172,037 issued and 49,616,824 outstanding at December 31, 2010		53		52
Additional paid-in capital		405,711		384,206
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax		7,183		6,424
Retained earnings		505,862		453,743
Treasury stock, at cost (2,536,133 and 2,555,213 shares, respectively)		(50,343)		(50,486)
Total Centene stockholders' equity		868,466		793,939
Noncontrolling interest		1,838		3,116
Total stockholders' equity		870,304		797,055
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,010,444	$	1,943,882

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
Revenues:
Premium	$	1,248,588	$	1,025,928	$	2,401,365	$	2,025,243
Service		29,428		24,682		55,812		47,589
Premium and service revenues		1,278,016		1,050,610		2,457,177		2,072,832
Premium tax		36,998		26,162		74,194		72,661
Total revenues		1,315,014		1,076,772		2,531,371		2,145,493
Expenses:
Medical costs		1,035,740		859,335		1,992,814		1,699,043
Cost of services		20,312		15,707		40,488		32,859
General and administrative expenses		166,425		133,470		329,006		268,977
Premium tax		37,234		26,551		74,663		73,294
Total operating expenses		1,259,711		1,035,063		2,436,971		2,074,173
Earnings from operations		55,303		41,709		94,400		71,320
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income		2,933		4,142		6,682		11,199
Debt extinguishment costs		(8,488 )		—		(8,488 )		—
Interest expense		(5,256 )		(3,869 )		(10,951 )		(7,682 )
Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense		44,492		41,982		81,643		74,837
Income tax expense		16,429		17,254		30,757		29,779
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense		28,063		24,728		50,886		45,058
Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $0, $(90), $0 and $4,350, respectively		—		(226 )		—		3,694
Net earnings		28,063		24,502		50,886		48,752
Noncontrolling interest (loss)		(311 )		1,729		(1,233 )		1,977
Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation	$	28,374	$	22,773	$	52,119	$	46,775

Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation common stockholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense	$	28,374	$	22,999	$	52,119	$	43,081
Discontinued operations, net of income tax (benefit) expense		—		(226 )		—		3,694
Net earnings	$	28,374	$	22,773	$	52,119	$	46,775

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	0.57	$	0.46	$	1.04	$	0.89
Discontinued operations		—		—		—		0.08
Earnings per common share	$	0.57	$	0.46	$	1.04	$	0.97
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	0.54	$	0.45	$	1.00	$	0.86
Discontinued operations		—		—		—		0.08
Earnings per common share	$	0.54	$	0.45	$	1.00	$	0.94

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		50,167,052		49,135,552		49,959,892		48,203,312
Diluted		52,489,414		50,866,318		52,171,213		49,807,084

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011		2010

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	50,886	$	48,752
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		28,567		24,918
Stock compensation expense		8,839		6,888
Gain on sale of investments, net		(107)		(3,987)
Debt extinguishment costs		8,488		—
Gain on sale of UHP		—		(8,201)
Deferred income taxes		(3,529)		4,928
Changes in assets and liabilities
Premium and related receivables		(16,146)		(57,718)
Other current assets		(4,001)		948
Other assets		(878)		1,719
Medical claims liabilities		24,684		(28,868)
Unearned revenue		(12,465)		(85,950)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(34,739)		(3,536)
Other operating activities		3,555		1,851
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		53,154		(98,256)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(31,744)		(31,177)
Capital expenditures of Centene Center LLC		(3,384)		(32,425)
Purchases of investments		(103,239)		(306,124)
Proceeds from asset sales		—		13,420
Sales and maturities of investments		120,448		291,735
Investments in acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,192)		(21,473)
Net cash used in investing activities		(21,111)		(86,044)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		12,264		1,759
Proceeds from borrowings		419,183		42,161
Proceeds from stock offering		—		104,534
Payment of long-term debt		(414,695)		(97,193)
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interest		244		(4,840)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation		1,369		295
Common stock repurchases		(1,029)		(568)
Debt issue costs		(9,095)		—
Net cash provided by financing activities		8,241		46,148
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		40,284		(138,152)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		434,166		403,752
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	474,450	$	265,600

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	11,822	$	7,320
Income taxes paid	$	40,111	$	27,940

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	$	—	$	306
Capital expenditures	$	1,381	$	36,280

CENTENE CORPORATION CONTINUING OPERATIONS SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
	Q2		Q1		Q4		Q3		Q2
	2011		2011		2010		2010		2010
MEMBERSHIP
Managed Care:
Arizona	22,800		22,600		22,400		22,300		22,100
Florida	190,600		188,800		194,900		116,300		113,100
Georgia	303,100		303,300		305,800		300,900		295,600
Illinois	700		—		—		—		—
Indiana	206,700		209,400		215,800		213,300		212,700
Massachusetts	32,900		34,100		36,200		34,400		30,100
Mississippi	30,800		—		—		—		—
Ohio	159,900		160,900		160,100		161,800		159,300
South Carolina	82,800		84,900		90,300		90,600		92,600
Texas	470,400		456,700		433,100		428,100		475,500
Wisconsin	79,800		81,800		74,900		106,100		133,600
Total at-risk membership	1,580,500		1,542,500		1,533,500		1,473,800		1,534,600
Non-risk membership	10,400		10,400		4,200		35,900		50,900
TOTAL	1,590,900		1,552,900		1,537,700		1,509,700		1,585,500


Medicaid	1,172,400		1,169,700		1,177,100		1,122,800		1,135,500
CHIP & Foster Care	211,400		208,900		210,500		219,100		272,400
ABD & Medicare	156,300		123,800		104,600		94,500		93,800
Hybrid Programs	35,500		35,200		36,200		34,400		30,100
Long-term Care	4,900		4,900		5,100		3,000		2,800
Total at-risk membership	1,580,500		1,542,500		1,533,500		1,473,800		1,534,600
Non-risk membership	10,400		10,400		4,200		35,900		50,900
TOTAL	1,590,900		1,552,900		1,537,700		1,509,700		1,585,500

Specialty Services(a):
Cenpatico Behavioral Health
Arizona	173,200		172,700		174,600		121,300		119,700
Kansas	45,000		44,000		39,200		39,800		39,100
TOTAL	218,200		216,700		213,800		161,100		158,800

(a) Includes external membership only.

REVENUE PER MEMBER PER MONTH(b)	$	240.57	$	238.31	$	239.66	$	224.62	$	218.40

CLAIMS(b)
Period-end inventory	415,700		527,100		434,900		469,000		480,400
Average inventory	332,300		347,900		304,700		307,500		306,900
Period-end inventory per member	0.26		0.34		0.28		0.32		0.31
(b) Revenue per member and claims information are presented for the Managed Care at-risk members.


	Q2		Q1		Q4		Q3		Q2
	2011		2011		2010		2010		2010

DAYS IN CLAIMS PAYABLE (c)	44.4		44.4		45.6		47.1		48.2
(c) Days in Claims Payable is a calculation of Medical Claims Liabilities at the end of the period divided by average claims expense per calendar day for such period (Days in Claims Payable for Q2 2011 reflects the most recent three months of Mississippi medical expense).

CASH AND INVESTMENTS (in millions)
Regulated	$	1,061.9	$	1,096.3	$	1,043.0	$	895.4	$	813.0
Unregulated		36.5		31.7		30.9		32.7		39.4
TOTAL	$	1,098.4	$	1,128.0	$	1,073.9	$	928.1	$	852.4

DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION	28.1%		26.9%		29.3%		24.7%		24.5%
DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION EXCLUDING NON-RECOURSE DEBT(d)	23.0%		21.4%		23.9%
Debt to Capitalization is calculated as follows: total debt divided by (total debt + total equity). (d) The non-recourse debt represents our mortgage note payable of $79.0 million at June 30, 2011, $79.6 million at March 31, 2011 and $80.0 million at December 31, 2010.

OPERATING RATIOS:
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
Health Benefits Ratios:
Medicaid and CHIP	80.1	%	83.4	%	81.3	%	84.5	%
ABD and Medicare	88.0		86.5		86.8		83.4
Specialty Services	85.8		81.7		84.2		81.2
Total	83.0		83.8		83.0		83.9

Total General & Administrative Expense Ratio	13.0	%	12.7	%	13.4	%	13.0	%

MEDICAL CLAIMS LIABILITY (In thousands) The changes in medical claims liability are summarized as follows:
Balance, June 30, 2010	$	455,375
Incurred related to:
Current period		3,870,465
Prior period		(62,300)
Total incurred		3,808,165
Paid related to:
Current period		3,398,570
Prior period		382,057
Total paid		3,780,627
Balance, June 30, 2011	$	482,913

Centene's claims reserving process utilizes a consistent actuarial methodology to estimate Centene's ultimate liability. Any reduction in the "Incurred related to: Prior period" amount may be offset as Centene actuarially determines "Incurred related to: Current period." As such, only in the absence of a consistent reserving methodology would favorable development of prior period claims liability estimates reduce medical costs. Centene believes it has consistently applied its claims reserving methodology in each of the periods presented.

The amount of the "Incurred related to: Prior period" above includes the effects of reserving under moderately adverse conditions, new markets where we use a conservative approach in setting reserves during the initial periods of operations, increased receipts from other third party payors related to coordination of benefits and lower medical utilization and cost trends for dates of service prior to June 30, 2010.

SOURCE Centene Corporation